When your CAPEX investment crosses borders, complexity skyrockets. From difference between industrial standards and directives to local Occupatioal Health & Safety & Environmental rules, the devil hides in the national legal and industry requirements.

Five blind spots we have witnessed:
1️⃣ Local and regional standards & material specs — small deviations, big re-certification costs.
2️⃣ Local collective labour Agreements — hidden caps on overtime & minimum pay.
3️⃣ “Open-end” bids that bury import, housing & mobilisation extras.
4️⃣ Late-stage package deliveries that overwhelm storage, lifting & site logistics.
5️⃣ Compressed timelines that reward the lowest number over proven performance.

🎗️ Where a solid Procurement Strategy changes the game:
🧩 Early sourcing = leverage. Engage suppliers while specs are still flexible; you’ll surface compliance gaps and secure better pricing before the market heats up.
🧩Early supplier qualification beyond price; Self-assessments for OHSE, reference projects, resource depth, long lead-time and critical equipment manufacturer audits.
🧩Smart tender design. Insist cost transparency for housing, logistics and duties.
🧩Collaborative RFQs. Invite technical Q&A sessions so bidders can propose optimizations—and flag red lines—before their numbers lock.

❗ Mitigate before you commit:
✔️ Familiarize in advance with compliance & logistics scan covering standards, labour law, import duties and site conditions.
✔️ Vet subcontractors beyond price: references, HSE culture and resource planning.
✔️ Initiate a real technical dialogue and surface deviations early.
✔️ Lock realistic delivery windows into the master schedule and build in buffer zones.
✔️ Appoint a dedicated “gatekeeper” to coordinate incoming equipment and avoid site yard gridlock.

At Hiutale Consulting we believe business is a Team sport—winning teams anticipate risk, not just react to it.